Albert Pujols' Legendary Career Began on This Day in 2001

The future Hall of Famer's first MLB hit kicked off two decades of dominance and milestones.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:11pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting Albert Pujols' baseball swing and career highlights, rendered in a cubist style with sharp, overlapping geometric planes and vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of Albert Pujols' legendary career, capturing the power and dynamism of his iconic baseball swing.Denver Today

On April 2, 2001, a relatively unknown rookie named Albert Pujols stepped up to the plate for the St. Louis Cardinals and recorded his first career hit, marking the start of one of the most illustrious careers in Major League Baseball history. Over the next 21 seasons, Pujols established himself as an all-time great, amassing 703 home runs, 3,384 hits, and 2,218 RBIs while leading the Cardinals to two World Series championships.

Why it matters

Pujols' debut was the beginning of an era of sustained excellence and team success for the Cardinals. His individual accomplishments and impact on the game have cemented his status as one of the greatest players in MLB history, and his return to St. Louis for a final season in 2022 provided a fitting bookend to his legendary career.

The details

On that day in 2001, Pujols went 1-for-4 with a single in his MLB debut against the Colorado Rockies. Over the next decade, he would go on to win three NL MVP awards, make nine All-Star teams, and help the Cardinals reach the playoffs seven times, including World Series titles in 2006 and 2011. Pujols' consistent production and clutch performances made him the centerpiece of one of the most successful franchises in baseball during that era.

  • On April 2, 2001, Pujols made his MLB debut and recorded his first career hit.
  • From 2001 to 2011, Pujols played for the St. Louis Cardinals, leading the team to two World Series championships.
  • In 2022, Pujols returned to the Cardinals for his final MLB season, hitting his 700th career home run.
  • Pujols' debut anniversary on April 2 marks the start of a legendary career that spanned over two decades.

The players

Albert Pujols

A future Hall of Famer who is considered one of the greatest players in MLB history, Pujols spent the majority of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning three NL MVP awards and two World Series titles before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Angels and returning to the Cardinals for his final season in 2022.

St. Louis Cardinals

The MLB franchise that Pujols played for from 2001 to 2011, during which time they became a perennial contender and won two World Series championships with Pujols as the centerpiece of the team.

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What they’re saying

“OTD in 2001, Albert Pujols made his big league debut and collected his first career hit 🙌”

— MLB

The takeaway

Albert Pujols' debut on April 2, 2001 marked the beginning of a legendary career that redefined greatness in Major League Baseball. Over the next two decades, Pujols established himself as one of the most dominant and consistent players in the sport's history, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to sustained success and cementing his place among the all-time greats.